A long weekend away in the midst of Herefordshire, was prolonged even further after the game, when an eight hours bus journey ensued due to delays with road works on the M4 and then a drivers’ hours stop.

However, the trip was worth it as 5 points were gained and apart from the fact that DMPRFC made hard work of the game, mainly due to Luctonians RFC’s effort and determination, there was not being able to turn first half possession into points.

Renowned for their off the field hospitality as has been previously stated, Luctonians RFC had no intention of letting DMPRFC continue their progress in the promotion battle, scoring three tries themselves in their last home game of the season at their Mortimer Park HQ.

With a bumper crowd and the usual sponsored hospitality, Luctonians RFC had decided that if DMPRFC had arrived with a casual approach with a large score margin mentality, bearing in mind the corresponding game at the Arena (54 – 0), then the home side were going to disappoint them.

However, the visitors had envisaged this could be the perception and had prepared properly for the game; bearing in mind that it was their host’s last game of the season and therefore nothing was being taken for granted.

After initial surges into the visitor’s territory, Luctonians RFC spent most of the first half pinned down in their own half, with repeated attacking forays by DMPRFC’s forward pack. The DMPRFC backs were occasionally released and showed why they were a potent threat, with centres Callum MACKENZIE and Cameron MITCHELL to the fore, assisted by wingers Tom KILL and Shaun McCARTNEY.

However, although DMPRFC had the lion’s share of possession, the lack of success was proving more of a frustration and with Luctonians RFC defence repelling the onslaught, there was nothing registered on the scoreboard.

When one of the home sides rare first half forays broke down, DMPRFC hooker broke out of defence and fed the ball to lock Talite VAIOLETI, who made progress into the opponents territory. As he was about to be stopped, he chipped through for flanker Jack ALLCOCK to run on to it, measure the bounce and romp over for the score (0 – 5).

Again further DMPRFC progress was well policed by the home side and as frustration continued, several opportunities to put the game beyond the home side were squandered.

As oranges approached, DMPRFC full back Henry ROBINSON, assisted by a strong helping wind, kicked well out of defence. Although Luctonians RFC gathered and defended, they coughed up the ball and after several phases, DMPRFC winger Tom KILL powered his way over in the corner (0 – 10). DMPRFC fly half Max CONNON added an excellent conversion, which had been more difficult by the angle and the fact that it was wide out (0 – 12).

Just prior to the break, Luctonians RFC lost their hooker to injury.

A short while after, the whistle blew for half time and probably Luctonians RFC sensed a change, due to keeping DMPRFC to only two tries and the home side playing towards their favourite corner near the club-house after the break.

On the resumption, Luctonians RFC struck after only 4 minutes, scoring a good try (5 – 12).

DMPRFC introduced replacements to re-ignite their game and Luctonians RFC did likewise.

Luctonians RFC reduced the deficit further, when a penalty was successful as DMPRFC had strayed offside (8 – 12).

Further re-shuffles transpire, with replacements used liberally.
In an isolated incident, both DMPRFC centre, turned flanker, was yellow carded, together with the home No.6, as they had earlier exchanged pleasantries, witnessed by the referees assistant.

This spurred on Luctonians RFC, who followed up with another try via a series of pick and drives close to the line by their forwards, to deservedly overtake their visitors (13 – 12).

DMPRFC ‘s plight was further added to, when after consultation with his referee’s assistant, referee Karl KIRKPATRICK reduced DMPRFC to 13 men, as skipper Cameron MITCHELL was yellow carded for dissent.

(Although Luctonians RFC supporters believed the referee had carded the wrong DMPRFC player, this was believed not to be the case. The crowd believed that a Luctonian RFC player had been illegally taken out in the build up to the try and whether that had been the case or not, it was immaterial, as the try had been scored anyway and the yellow card was for dissent to the referees assistant by the DMPRFC skipper).

Luctonians RFC sensed an upset and their full complement of replacements were utilised in an effort to finish it off.

As the game entered a frantic last 10 minutes and refereeing decisions became a talking point for both teams and both sets of supporters, possibly against the run of play, aided by scrum half Zylon McGAFFIN, winger Shaun McCARTNEY bashed his way over the try line, to put the visitors back in the lead (13 – 17).

Replacement Tom HODGSON kept a cool head when slotting the difficult conversion (13 – 19).

Not to be outdone, the home side responded, with a final try of their own (18 – 19) and with the kickable conversion to follow, the feeling around the home supporters in Mortimer Park was such that they believed their job had been completed and the upset had become a reality.

Unfortunately for Luctonians RFC, the conversion was missed.
With not much time to go, DMPRFC galvanised themselves and probably for the first time in the game, collectively wanted the victory.

They made steady progress up the field and well into home territory. Two penalties then proved crucial.

The first was kicked to touch for DMPRFC to catch and drive, then maul it over the line. After this had failed due to a resolute defence, another penalty presented itself.

With no time on the officials watch, a quick tap penalty was needed and lock Talite VAIOLETI stepped up to the task and drove into a desperate home defensive line. The rest of the pack followed suit and when the ball became available 5 metres out, DMPRFC scrum half saw his opportunity, darting over between the posts for the bonus point fourth try (18 – 24). Tom HODGSON easily converted (18 – 26) as the official called a halt to proceedings.

The watching crowd, with the two sets of supporters now experiencing totally different emotions, had been thoroughly entertained by two teams who gave their all.

Luctonians will quite rightly feel aggrieved that they did not obtain any league points from the game, in which they played an important part.

From a DMPRFC perspective, 5 points were gained, which was all that was available on the day and in the end, showed plenty of steely resolve to stay in touch and get the job done, as rugby is an 80 minute plus game these days.